MoneySeptember 6, 2026via Financial Times Technology

‘Unfinished business’: Kalanick revisits robotaxis with new start-up

Why it matters

A high-profile founder's return to robotaxis signals continued capital and strategic interest in autonomous mobility, with potential for industry consolidation and Uber's shift toward autonomous deployment.

Key signals

  • Travis Kalanick launching new robotaxi start-up called Atoms
  • Atoms planning hiring spree
  • Potential partnership/acquisition discussions with Uber
  • Kalanick ousted from Uber ~decade ago
  • Robotaxi sector consolidation signal
  • High-net-worth founder commitment to autonomous vehicles

The hook

Travis Kalanick is back in autonomous vehicles. Atoms is hiring and exploring a reunion with Uber — the company that ousted him.

Atoms gears up for hiring spree and could link with Uber, the company he was ousted from almost a decade ago

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